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Committee approves $100,000 transfer after spike in Newton North High School water usage
Summary
The finance committee approved a $100,000 transfer to cover unusually high water and sewer charges at Newton North High School after staff reported 2025 billing based on 3,942 HCF consumption versus 1,998 HCF the previous period; staff found no interior leaks but fixed two exterior leaks and plans to install a well‑based irrigation system over the summer.
The Newton City Finance Committee on June 8 approved a $100,000 transfer to cover increased water and sewer charges at Newton North High School after staff outlined a near‑doubling of billed consumption in 2025.
The presenting commissioner said 2025 consumption was about 3,942 hundred cubic feet (HCF) compared with about 1,998 HCF in the prior year’s billing period. Static pressure testing inside the school found no interior plumbing leaks, and two exterior leaks were located and repaired. Staff noted prior bills had been estimated at times and that irrigation is the likely driver; Newton North’s irrigation wells are being installed this summer to reduce future municipal charges.
Council members questioned whether invoices were estimated versus actual reads and whether irrigation meters or Neptune360 monitoring could help differentiate indoor from outdoor water use. CO Morris, the building commissioner, told the committee a previously roughed‑in graywater system at Newton North would cost "north of a million dollars" to tie into irrigation and that, from a return‑on‑investment standpoint, wells are a more effective mitigation.
The committee voted 7–0 to approve the transfer. Staff said they will provide the committee with written backup on last year’s installations and will continue to monitor usage via Neptune360 and coordinate with parks and facilities to reduce future consumption.
